Newlove widow recalls attack

A WIDOW told her husband she loved him and wanted him home as he lay dying on a hospital bed, a murder trial heard. Helen Newlove told husband Garry she would wait for him - but he died after suffering severe head injuries when, it is alleged, he was kicked and punched by a gang of youths with whom he had remonstrated for vandalising a family car.

A WIDOW told her husband she loved him and wanted him home as he lay dying on a hospital bed, a murder trial heard.

Helen Newlove told husband Garry she would wait for him - but he died after suffering severe head injuries when, it is alleged, he was kicked and punched by a gang of youths with whom he had remonstrated for vandalising a family car.

The statement Mrs Newlove gave to police was read out at Chester Crown Court, where five teenagers deny murder.

Mr Newlove, a 47-year-old father of three, suffered a fatal beating outside his home on Station Road North in the Fearnhead area of Warrington in August. He died in hospital two days later.

Mrs Newlove detailed a series of acts of vandalism and abusive behaviour by gangs of youths who gathered under the subway near their home.

The witness, who worked as a legal secretary in Manchester, described to police damage to the family’s cars, shed and fencing.

She said there were so many incidents she could not recall all of them but remembered one of the first happened just eight months after they moved into their new home during 2004.

Disillisioned

Community meetings set up to tackle antisocial behaviour by gangs of drink-fuelled teenagers were set up but attendances fell because residents were disillusioned with the lack of action from the authorities, she said.

On the night of the attack, Mrs Newlove told how she arrived home from work and went upstairs to bed as she was feeling unwell and that her husband had told her he loved her and that the family was looking forward to a holiday.

Garry had just landed a large contract at the company where he worked as a sales manager, said Mrs Newlove.

She described seeing her husband in hospital after the attack.

“I saw Garry. He was a mess. His head was covered in blood, very swollen. He had a neck collar on and that didn’t appear real.

“I told him I loved him and that I wanted him to come home. It was horrible. I told him I would be waiting for him,” Mrs Newlove told police.

As her statement was being read out to the jury, Mrs Newlove, who was in the public gallery, wept into the shoulder of her husband’s brother, Keith.

Four boys, aged 15, 16 and two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, deny murder. A fifth defendant, Adam Swellings, 19, from Crewe, admits manslaughter but also denies murder.